Optimization of a seven-stage centrifugal compressor by using a quasi-3D inverse design method

This paper focuses on performance improvement of a centrifugal compressor. An inverse design method for 3D design approaches is formulated to address this concern. The design procedure encompasses two major steps. First, with the use of ball spine algorithm, which is an inverse design algorithm, on the meridional plane of impeller, the hub and shroud of impeller are computed based on a modified pressure distribution along them. Second, an original and progressive algorithm is developed for design of blade camber line profile on the blade-to-blade planes of impeller based on blade loading improvement. Full 3D analysis of the current and designed compressor is accomplished by using a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations solver. A comparison between the analysis results of the current and designed compressor shows that the total-to-total isentropic efficiency and pressure ratio of the designed compressor under the same operating conditions are enhanced by more than 4.5% and 5%, respectively.